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Skye groaned on her pillow as the sunlight peeked in the window. While sleeping inside was nice, the fact remained that they were awake till almost sunrise on that mission that was both physically and mentally exhausting.
Much to her surprise, a whiff of what smelled like bacon entered her nose and she lifted her head in the direction of the kitchen, curious. Was Ryder making breakfast? He was normally too tired to do more than get the pups their food the mornings after late missions.
Looking slightly to the left of where the pups slept, the theory was debunked when she saw a human sized lump under a blanket with Ryder’s brown hair poking out from it, the teen too tired to go to his own room the previous night and fell asleep cuddled with Chase.
Now too curious to fall back asleep. Skye stood and shook before heading into the kitchen.
"Harold?!"
Harold jumped as the bacon he was frying popped, looking at the aviator puppy. "Oh… Hey Skye."
"What are you doing?" She asked, suspicious.
Harold sighed. "Okay, don't be mad. I heard what happened last night and how late it went. So I got some stuff so you all could sleep in and have a good breakfast."
"You can cook?" Skye asked, head tilted.
Harold gave a short laugh. "That's what you focus on? Yeah. Had to learn after I got sick of takeout with uncle Mayor. I'm making Ryder’s later, but I grabbed some extra bacon for the rest of you."
Skye yipped with an excited flip. "We love bacon!"
Harold laughed. "He told me you did. Thought you deserved a treat after what happened last night." Harold lowered his voice. "He also told me he mixes the bacon with your normal kibble. Where is that?"
"The cabinet above the fridge," Skye said, pointing. "There’s a measuring scoop as well."
"Thanks Skye," Harold said with a smile, grabbing a step ladder from beside the kitchen Skye never noticed before.
"Does Ryder really talk about us?" Skye found herself asking as Harold brought down a bin of kibble.
"All the time," Harold confirmed. "His eyes light up whenever he talks about any member of the Paw Patrol. Especially you six."
Skye smiled, glad for the assurance that Harold wasn't replacing them, just finding a spot in Ryder’s life alongside them. "Thanks Harold."
"Of course! Where are your food bowls?"
"I'll go get them. Want me to wake everyone up?"
Harold shrugged. "If they're already awake then I don't see the harm in them eating earlier, but probably should let everyone sleep for as long as they can while still being able to fall asleep tonight."
Skye yiped with agreement and went to grab the food bowls, directing Marshall, Rubble, and Zuma to the kitchen. Rocky, Ryder, and Chase still fast asleep.
"Ryder. Chase. Wake up!"
Chase groaned and cuddled closer to Ryder while the boy remained motionless.
"Breakfast is gonna get cold unless you wake up soon," Skye said, hoping the promise of food would bring the boys out from under the blanket. "And Harold's here."
"What?" Ryder asked, mouth barely moving as he rubbed his eyes.
"Come to the kitchen and see," Skye smirked. "I'm sure you'll love it! It is gonna be noon in an hour so better get going."
Leaving the two to wake themselves the rest of the way, Skye went back to the kitchen to see Harold place a bowl on the floor for Rocky with the rest finishing up theirs.
"They'll be here soon," Skye told Harold and he smiled.
"Perfect timing," Harold said, placing an omelet on a plate next to another that was still steaming and Chase's bowl with kibble and bacon. "Ours are ready."
Ryder came in, rubbing his eyes. "Harold, I know I said you could come whenever you wanted but what…" He opened his eyes and they went wide seeing the plates as Harold offered the one made sooner (so therefore hotter) to him, Chase's bowl in the other hand.
"Good morning sleepy head."
Ryder sighed, tension leaving his tired body and he smiled, taking the plate. "You're a blessing. Thank you."
"Figured after last night you'd be too tired to make a good breakfast." Harold placed Chase's bowl in front of him, earning a tired half smile before he sniffed then began to eat the kibble. "Granted it's more like an early lunch, but still."
"I appreciate it."
"Did you mix bacon into all of our food?" Chase asked.
Harold hummed a confirmation. "Ryder told me you loved it so I grabbed some as a treat for the best pups in Adventure Bay."
Ryder’s face lit up. "You said it!"
Harold blushed, grabbing his own omelet and the salsa. "Yeah yeah. Laugh it up."
While Ryder did laugh, it was short as he pulled Harold to sit next to him at the table, giving him a side hug. "Thanks a lot Harold."
Skye looked on, having finished her food a while ago, and smiled. 'Maybe Harold isn't so bad. Anymore at least.'